The Department of Transport has doubled down on its pushing of the idea of airlines increasing capacity at Ireland’s regional airports in a bid to alleviate the pressure caused by the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
James Lawless – the Junior Minister for Transport – is currently on a tour of all relevant stakeholders to gauge feelings about the passenger cap and to discuss solutions.
Having already met with Shannon and Cork airports, and airport operator Daa, Mr Lawless is looking to meet Aer Lingus, the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), Ibec, the Irish Aviation Authority, Fingal County Council and the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
This week, Mr Lawless met with Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary for a meeting, ultimately described by the airline boss as being “not productive”.
Mr O’Leary has also played down more use of regional hubs as a viable alternative to Dublin Airport.
However, in a statement, Minister Lawless said: “I would encourage Ryanair to revisit their Shannon, Cork and regional airport schedules, I would urge them to be more creative in their use of the regionals.
“Not everybody lives in Dublin, I can see no reason why sporting trips, or excursions to Lapland, cannot operate from other airports outside Dublin.
“If Ryanair are prepared to move flights to Belfast, what’s to stop them using other airports in this jurisdiction, nearer to where the bulk of the population live?
“I find it difficult to see how the marketing genius that created alternative routes to Paris/Beauvais, Venice/Treviso, Brussels/Charleroi and drove traffic to so many other destinations cannot do more for our regional airports.
“I can see no good reason why over 85% of flights still fly out of Dublin, apart from legacy and habit.”
